Earrings for fall fashion are displayed during a fall fashion trend presentation by fashion editor, Julie Gallego, at the Bloomingdale's Fashion Island in Newport Beach. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER

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Fashion editor Julie Gallego speaks to shoppers during a fall fashion trend presentation at the Bloomingdale's Fashion Island in Newport Beach on Saturday. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER

Menswear: Slip on a loafer or tassled "slippers"; they come in flats and heels these days

Animal print: Go for a buckled bootie or high-top sneaker

Moto/Punk: The moto-style boots out now sit low on the leg, sometimes sport zippers, buckles or studs and add a dash of danger to whatever you wear them with.

EARRINGS

Last year it was statement necklaces (still big) this year it's all about the ear. Baroque, romantic and grazing the shoulder, a pretty dangler hanging from the lobe adds a feminine counterpoint to fall's somewhat masculine aesthetic. Of course, they look great with a girly dress too.

“What do I wear with animal print”? “What if I wanna go punk but not too punk? Like punk light?” “I like feminine florals but all I see is ‘menswear'; what should I do?”

Sometimes, balancing fall's trends can get a little overwhelming and blend together until you aren't sure if you should wear your moto jacket with your leather leggings or over your animal-printed pencil skirt. (The answer? Whichever makes you happy!)

Using pieces from the newest lines at Bloomingdale's Fashion Island in Newport Beach – Sandro, Maje, Alice+Olivia, Rebecca Taylor, Needle & Thread, Milly, Parker, Clover Canyon, Joe's Jeans, Genetic Jeans and Ted Baker – I broke down fall's trends a week ago and explained how you can mix and match them all you want. After all, the first rule of fashion is there are no rules!

Here's what you missed if you weren't there:

Black and White

Ease what could be the too-graphic-starkness of the black-and-white trend by mixing in textures such as leather and prints like this season's new neutral: animal print. Or embrace it in one of this season's biggest trends, a menswear coat.

Menswear

A herringbone sweater over sleek pants is a classic example of what I think is fall's most elegant-sexy trend. It also may be the most comfortable because it includes easy trousers and slouchy tops. Plus, it looks great with menswear-inspired flat shoes for the days when you don't feel like walking around in a 5-inch stiletto – whenever that is. And if you don't want to go full menswear, you can always add a borrowed-from-the-boys looking satchel or jacket.

Animal prints

Not just leopard (classic) but also snake (sophisticated) and cheetah (sexy) or even zebra (black and white, again!) animal prints can give pizzazz to any ensemble. For instance, a guy-style topper like a bomber jacket over animal print pencil skirt goes from ladylike sexy to tough and sexy in less time than it takes to say “ocelot.” Add a studded, punk-inspired bag and you look more “it girl” than “office girl” at work.

Moto jacket

As much as I love a pretty dress, my default (for longer than I care to remember) has always been a sort of rocker-punk look. A wear-with-everything moto jacket over leather leggings topped by a black-and-white sweater and plaid scarf (plaid, another trend) – all punk references – paired with a cute metallic clutch (the “it” bag for the past few seasons) is the perfect uptown/downtown girl mash-up. Ditch the moto jacket and throw on structured blazer for the office.

Punk

Plaid leggings – one of my favorite things this year – are sophisticated and funky at the same time, and they work perfectly with a simple black sweater sporting zipper details and a leather jacket. Toss on a fun black-and-white checked cross-body bag and cute booties and you're a punk princess. Not willing to wear plaid on your legs? Try a plaid flannel shirt (neo-grunge) or a scarf for a touch of punk.

Prints

Prints have been big for a while, as the runways have bloomed in the past few years with florals and abstract and artful prints – think Mary Katrantzou, Peter Pilotto. Today, prints are sophisticated and complex, which can make a simple sheath a statement on its own – no embellishment required. Or they come in the darker variety, slightly eerie florals on a black background that has a romance all its own.

British influence

Along with the trend toward punk details, there has been an explosion in British fashion and British-inspired styles. Less stuffy than designs coming out of Paris, as lively as looks from Milan's runways and more witty than the cool girl shown at New York Fashion Week, British designs mix clever prints with classical tailoring and silhouettes. “Brit wit” also has shown up in fun sweaters and statement sweatshirts that would work equally well over a leather skirt, menswear-style trousers, leggings or jeans.

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